What words should you avoid in a personal statement?

Asked by: Jana Dicki  |  Last update: January 26, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (69 votes)

Here are some words you should remove if they feature in your personal statement.
  • Passionate. Possibly the most overused word when it comes to personal statements. ...
  • Team player. You're a team player and can also work well individually? ...
  • Watching TV. ...
  • Extensive. ...
  • Also. ...
  • Jokes and puns. ...
  • Expert. ...
  • Overly long words.

What should you not start a personal statement with?

Therefore avoid phrases such as 'from an early age', 'I have a thirst for knowledge' and 'I've always been passionate about...' or bold sweeping statements like 'I was the best in my classes, 'I've always been good at...' or 'I've come so far'. Equally, do not quote famous philosophers or celebrities.

How do you write a killer personal statement?

Give examples of any related academic or work experience. Show you know what the course will involve and mention any special subjects you're interested in. Demonstrate who you are by listing any positions you've held, memberships of teams or societies, and interests and hobbies.

What are the top 10 rules and pitfalls when writing a personal statement?

Writing the Personal Statement: Top 10 Pitfalls
  • Do not submit an expository resume; avoid repeating information found elsewhere on the application.
  • Do not use the same personal statement for each application. ...
  • Do not preach to your reader. ...
  • Do not talk about money as a motivator.

What is a bad personal statement?

Using clichés

Avoid overused phrases like 'my passion for history began...' or 'I have been interested in geography since a young age'. Admissions tutors read a ton of personal statements and you want to stand out. So get creative with your sentences, but make sure not to go off-topic.

how to write an AMAZING personal statement for ANY university application.

23 related questions found

What words should you not use in a personal statement?

Here are some words you should remove if they feature in your personal statement.
  • Passionate. Possibly the most overused word when it comes to personal statements. ...
  • Team player. You're a team player and can also work well individually? ...
  • Watching TV. ...
  • Extensive. ...
  • Also. ...
  • Jokes and puns. ...
  • Expert. ...
  • Overly long words.

What are personal statement cliches?

Here are just some overused phrases to avoid using in your personal statement: From a young age… For as long as I can remember… I am applying for this course because… I have always been interested in…

How do I make my personal statement stand out?

Here are some tips that'll help you write the best personal statement that's unique to you.
  1. Work out why you want to study the subject you've picked. ...
  2. Add your transferable skills to your personal statement. ...
  3. Include some anecdotes. ...
  4. Don't leave out your difficulties. ...
  5. Vary your language. ...
  6. Make a list of all your achievements.

What are the 6 C's personal statement?

Now, what do most Trusts look for? From my experience they want you to be the 6 Cs of Nursing; Care, Compassion, Commitment, Courage, Competence, Communication.

What are the restrictions for a personal statement?

Your personal statement length can be up to 4,000 characters long. This may sound a lot, but it's a word limit of around 550–1000 words with spaces and only about 1 side of typed A4 paper. You need to keep it concise and make sure it's clear and easy to read.

What is the best line to start a personal statement?

4. How to start your personal statement
  • From a young age I have (always) been [interested in/fascinated by]…
  • For as long as I can remember, I have…
  • I am applying for this course because…
  • I have always been interested in…
  • Throughout my life I have always enjoyed…
  • Reflecting on my educational experiences…

What is a good last sentence for a personal statement?

Use Your Key Points To Restate Your Passion For Your Course

Wrap them up by saying, “With my [specific skills] and as a result of [specific experiences] I've gained over the years, I'm committed to [mention your course].

How to start a personal essay?

Write the introduction

The introduction highlights the main points of your story and the opening sentence should make an impact. Use an opening sentence that engages the reader so they want to keep reading to find out more. Consider opening with an inspirational or funny quote or observation to start your introduction.

What to say instead of passion in a personal statement?

How To Use “Passion” Synonyms On Your Resume (With Examples)
  • Using “enthusiasm” as another word for “passion”: ...
  • Using “dedication” as another word for “passion”: ...
  • Using “zeal” as another word for “passion”: ...
  • Using “devotion” as another word for “passion”: ...
  • Using “drive” as another word for “passion”:

What is copycatch?

Copycatch finds statements that show similarity, works out how much of the statement may have been copied, and reports the findings. This helps admissions staff at universities and colleges judge applications, and it is the providers who decide what action, if any, to take regarding notified cases.

Can I just lie on my personal statement?

Firstly, and most crucially: never, ever lie in your personal statement. If you do, it will almost certainly come back to haunt you.

What is a good example of a personal statement?

I am ready to commit to full time study and have much to contribute to university life. I realise that I am most interested in people, what makes them the people they are and how this manifests in their behaviour and opinions.

What is the ABC of the personal statement?

So what does ABC stand for? Action = What have you done? Benefit = What skills have you gained? Course = How has this prepared you for your chosen course?

What are the 3 parts of a personal statement?

There are three key areas your personal statement should cover:
  • Why do you want to study your chosen subject?
  • What relevant skills and knowledge do you already have about this subject?
  • What do you do when you're not studying?

How do you write a catchy personal statement?

Address your strengths, experiences and accomplishments. It is important to be specific by using examples from your experiences to support your statements. Do not make assumptions, use clichés or state the obvious. Conclude the statement by summarizing everything that was previously addressed.

What makes a personal statement weak?

Poor grammar – such as “its” when they meant “it's”, and even an instance of double exclamation marks. Typos – “thrist for knowledge”, for example. Not long enough – the statement uses 2,289 characters out of an available 4,000.

How to sound passionate in a personal statement?

If you've done your research – brag about it!

This sounds obvious but when writing a personal statement, it's important to show your passion for the subject. If you've read any related books, talk briefly about what you learnt from them, and why they have developed your interest in the subject.

What is a good opening sentence for a personal statement?

Start with why you chose it. The best personal statements get to the point quickly. Start with a short sentence that captures the reason why you're interested in studying on the programme you're applying for and that communicates your enthusiasm for it. Go straight in.

How to end a personal statement?

How to end your personal statement: What to write
  1. Tie it back to what you've written earlier. Revisit the key points you've already spoken about in the main body of your personal statement and emphasise them again in your conclusion. ...
  2. Talk about the future. ...
  3. Think about your university experience.

Should I use passive voice in a personal statement?

The use of passive voice can muddle the meaning of your sentences and can downplay the importance of your accomplishments.